This post is part of Lexa Cain's bloghop, Celebrate the Small Things. Head on over there to join up!
So what am I celebrating this week?
To be honest? Not a whole lot.
A friend of mine, one of the gorgeous people who worked with me in the last cinema I worked at, died on Monday. He was only 25. It was a complete surprise because he wasn't sick. It wasn't a violent attack or an accident. He had a brain bleed and just slipped away as he walked home with a friend.
But because this is a post where I'm supposed to celebrate, I'm going to. Michael was an organ donor, and because he died, eight other people who may not have had a chance, now do. So I'm celebrating that even while I'm mourning the loss of a very special, eccentric and painfully intelligent young man who I enjoyed talking to so very much.
It's made me think a lot. I am an organ donor too. It says so on my driver's license. But I haven't driven in over 15 years and the license has expired. I don't even have physical evidence of it anymore because my wallet was stolen back when I lived in Melbourne. So if I die tomorrow, will anyone know that I want my organs to be donated? Assuming of course all my years of living haven't rendered them useless to anyone else...
Are you an organ donor? If not, why? You can't use those body parts after you're dead, so why not leave them to someone whose life hangs on whether or not they get a donated organ?
OMGoodness!!! That's so terribly sad. Michael saved many lives by giving other people a chance to live!!!! Everyone should be an organ donor.
ReplyDeleteOh, that's so sad. It's horrible how things can strike so suddenly. I'm glad that pieces of him can live on and help others.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your friend. 25 is too young to die. Maybe you can stop by a hospital and pick up an organ donor card to keep in your purse. Despite being a horror writer/reader/watcher, I'm a big chicken. At 6 when I found my mom had donated blood and looked at her bandaid, I went into hysterics. I haven't changed much since then and don't donate blood or organs. (Although considering how old I am and how I treat my body, no one would want these crappy old organs anyway.)
ReplyDeleteIn England, we are now looking into changing the law so that everyone is considered to give consent unless they have specifically said they do NOT - this has already become law in Wales. The death of someone so young always shocks us but it does make us reflect on our own lives and maybe realise what a gift we have been given. Special Teaching at Pempi’s Palace
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about your loss. It's especially hard when it comes totally unexpected like that.
ReplyDeleteBut it's good that 8 others are helped through it. Yes, I'm an organ donor. If they find anything they can use, they can have it.
Condolences for the loss of your friend. In one way, he does live on in the lives of others. A few years ago, my husband and I decided we want to donate our organs when we pass on, but I'm not sure where that little piece of paper is, now. Your post reminds me we need to update our records and make that clear.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences for your friend. I too am an organ donor, but doubt there will be much left of me that will benefit others when I am gone. I hope you can figure out a way to make your intentions known. Have a great week! ~Lori~
ReplyDeleteSorry about your friend.
ReplyDeleteI ought to become an organ donor, but I'm a bit worried how useful they'd be with how I tend to treat my body.